Methods for selective thermal treatment

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for selective cooling of a target site include a catheter having a supply lumen and a delivery lumen, with inlet and exit ports. Blood is withdrawn from the supply lumen and cooled or heated in a control unit. The treated blood is sent to the targeted area via delivery lumen. The supply lumen can act as an insulator for the delivery lumen.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/041,701, filed on Jan. 25, 2005, and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally known that many disease states and injuries respond favorably to the application of heat and/or cold. For example, hypothermia, i.e. cooling, can reduce blood flow, inflammation and edema, and may alter a variety of effects of ischemia. On the cellular level, hypothermia and hyperthermia (heating) have the ability to effect metabolic and enzymatic activity, reactive oxidant production and gene expression. A number of experimental studies of ischemic stroke have shown that hypothermia reduces the extent of neurologic damage and improves neurologic function.

Prior art methods to effect hypothermia or hyperthermia have a number of disadvantages. Most of these methods primarily involve the entire body by employing surface techniques or systemic intravascular perfusion. U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,392 to Saab and U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,383 to Ginsburg teach the use of heat transfer catheters that are placed into the venous side of the vascular system. These devices cool or heat venous blood passing over them, and the heated or cooled blood is distributed throughout the entire body. Such methods have serious limitations. For example, systemic hypothermia causes shivering, which increases the metabolic rate and may cause serious disturbances of the cardiovascular system. Surface techniques are slow, have limited heating/cooling capability, and require apparatus that can interfere with the ability to perform a medical procedure. In addition, none of these prior art techniques have the ability to control changes in blood flow and pressure that can result from the application of hypothermia or hyperthermia, nor do they have means to administer pharmacologic agents selectively to the target area.

Other prior art methods designed to selectively treat an area without adversely affecting the rest of the body have been disclosed. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,436,071 and 6,605,106 to Schwartz, teach a catheter for intravascular corporeal cooling, designed to eliminate problems that develop due to complications from high pressure within a delivery catheter. This disclosure teaches the use of a pressure relief valve, which has the disadvantage of a likelihood of total body cooling upon activation of the valve. Additionally, long-term effects of the disclosed system can include potential local vascular damage, and additional total body cooling, since arterial blood passing over the cooling catheter would itself be cooled. U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,559 to Dobak teaches a method and apparatus for performing hypothermia without significant effect on surrounding organs or other tissues. The disclosed apparatus includes a flexible supply catheter, and a separate flexible delivery catheter—one used for removing the blood and one used for delivering cooled blood into an artery feeding the selected organ. The delivery catheter has a layer of insulation. However, the use of two catheters increases the risk of vascular complications, the complexity of the procedure, and the time to effect cooling of the target organ.

There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a method for selective thermal treatment which is devoid of the above limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing insulated thermally treated blood to a location in the body, the method including providing a delivery catheter and providing an insulating layer around the delivery catheter, the insulating layer being a conduit for insulating blood, the insulating blood being of a different temperature than the thermally treated blood.

According to features in embodiments of the invention described below, a first lumen is a delivery lumen for delivering thermally treated blood to a target site in the body. In one embodiment, the exit port is located at the distal end of the first lumen. In another embodiment, the exit port is located proximal to the distal end of the first lumen.

According to further features in embodiments of the invention, an occlusion element on the first lumen has an atraumatic surface, and may include a hydrophilic coating, a drug coating, or both. The occlusion element may be a balloon, or alternatively, the occlusion element is a mechanically expandable device, such as a spring loaded device, or includes a shape memory alloy.

According to further features in embodiments of the invention, a second lumen is a supply lumen for providing normothermal blood to a control unit and a second port is an inlet port, or several inlet ports. In one embodiment, the system and devices further comprise an auxiliary delivery lumen between the first and second lumens and coaxially arranged with respect to the first lumen, the auxiliary delivery lumen having one or several secondary exit port positioned between the exit port and the inlet port. The system may further include a second occlusion element positioned between the secondary exit port and the inlet port.

According to further features in alternative embodiments of the invention, the second lumen is an auxiliary delivery lumen, the second port is one or more secondary exit ports, and the system further includes a supply lumen positioned coaxially with respect to the auxiliary delivery lumen, the supply lumen having one or more inlet ports. In one embodiment, a second occlusion element is positioned between the secondary exit port and the inlet port. In another embodiment, the system further includes an anchoring element at the distal end of the first lumen. The anchoring element can be, for example, a balloon or a bent distal end.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention, the control unit includes a thermal adjustor, and may include a pumping mechanism. The system may further include a physiological sensor positioned at the exit port. The system may also include a pressure lumen and a physiological sensor at a proximal end of the pressure lumen. The physiological sensor is in communication with the control unit, which may be configured to calculate an output based on data received from the physiological sensor. The output may be presented as a display to a user. Furthermore, the output may be used to automatically change a parameter provided by the control unit.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention, the delivering of the thermally treated blood includes pumping. The method can further include delivering a second thermally treated blood to a location in the body, the second thermally treated blood having a different temperature than the thermally treated blood. The method can further include monitoring a physiological parameter and adjusting the thermally treating based on the monitored parameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system including a catheter and a control unit, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the control unit of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a catheter in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations of a distal portion of the catheters of FIGS. 1 and 3, having distal ends which are variably positionable;

FIGS. 5A-5C are illustrations of a catheter having a bendable distal end, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a catheter which is suitable for anchoring in a separate vessel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A-7C are illustrations of a distal portion of a catheter which is suitable for anchoring in a separate vessel, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A-8C are illustrations of the steps of a method for treating a specific target site in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-9C are illustrations of a method for treating a specific target site in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A-10C are illustrations of a method for treating a specific target site in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is of systems and methods which can be used for selective thermal therapy. Specifically, the present invention can be used to selectively cool or heat a specific organ in the body, using a single catheter for collection and delivery of normothermic and thermally altered blood.

The principles and operation of systems and methods according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 for selective cooling or heating of an organ, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. System 10 includes a catheter 12 and a control unit 14. Catheter 12 has a proximal end 16 and a distal end 18, and includes a supply lumen 20 and a delivery lumen 22. Delivery lumen 22 extends through an entire length of catheter 12, from proximal end 16 to distal end 18, and has an exit port 24 at or near distal end 18 for delivery of blood to a target site.

Supply lumen 20 is positioned coaxially with respect to delivery lumen 22, as shown in cross-section A-A, and extends from proximal end 16 of catheter 12 to an area proximal to distal end 18. In an alternative embodiment, supply lumen 20 runs alongside delivery lumen 22. Supply lumen 20 has inlet ports 26 at one or more locations along its length, for receiving normothermic blood from the blood vessel. At least one occlusion element 28 is positioned at or near distal end 18 of catheter 12, proximal to exit port 24 and distal to a distal end 21 of supply lumen 20. A hub 30 for connecting supply lumen 20 and delivery lumen 22 to control unit 14 is located at proximal end 16 of catheter 12. Hub 30 includes an inlet connector 32 for providing supply blood to a supply blood inlet 34 in control unit 14, and an outlet connector 36 for receiving delivery blood from a delivery blood outlet 38 in control unit 14. Control unit 14 thermally alters (i.e. heats or cools) normothermic blood received from supply blood inlet 34, and sends the thermally altered blood out through delivery blood outlet 38. Catheter 12 can be introduced over a guidewire, either as an over-the-wire system or as a rapid exchange system, or may include a fixed wire at its distal tip. In a preferred embodiment, delivery lumen 22 acts as a guidewire lumen as well. In alternative embodiments, a separate guidewire lumen is positioned alongside or coaxial with delivery lumen 22. In the fixed-wire configuration, catheter 12 could further include a torqueable catheter shaft.

The general cycle of blood flow is as follows. Normothermic blood, depicted by unbroken arrows 44, flows from a blood vessel, through inlet ports 26, and into supply lumen 20. Supply lumen 20 delivers the normothermic blood to control unit 14 via inlet connector 32. Blood is then thermally altered in control unit 14. Delivery lumen 22 receives thermally altered blood, depicted by broken arrows 46, from delivery blood outlet 38 in control unit 14 via outlet connector 36, and delivers the thermally altered blood to the target site in the body. In order to ensure that heating or cooling of the target site is accomplished without causing heating or cooling of other parts of the body, it is necessary to physically separate the collection of normothermic blood from the delivery of thermally altered blood. In order to accomplish this separation using a single device, catheter 12 is designed with both a delivery lumen and a supply lumen which are physically separated from one another by an occlusion element 28. By placing occlusion element 28 between distal end 21 of supply lumen 20 and exit port 24, only the blood proximal to occlusion element 28 enters supply lumen 20, and the thermally altered blood only reaches that part of the cardiovascular system which is distal to occlusion element 28.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a schematic illustration of control unit 14 in greater detail. Control unit 14 includes supply blood inlet 34 for receiving normothermic blood, depicted by unbroken arrow 44, and delivery blood outlet 38 for delivering thermally altered blood, depicted by broken arrow 46. Control unit 14 further includes a thermal adjustor 40 for changing a temperature of normothermic blood received from supply blood inlet 34, thus producing thermally altered blood. Thermal adjustor 40 can be a heating mechanism, a cooling mechanism, or a combination heating/cooling mechanism which is controllable by a user. In a preferred embodiment, thermal adjustor 40 is a cooling mechanism such as, for example, Medtronic, Inc.'s Bio-Cal® Blood Temperature Control Module or the MYOthermXP® Cardioplegia System. Alternatively, thermal adjustor 40 comprises a coiled tubing in an ice bath. In a preferred embodiment, control unit 14 further includes a pumping mechanism 42 to facilitate delivery of thermally altered blood through delivery blood outlet 38. Pumping mechanism 42 can be, for example, a centrifugal blood pump (Bio-Pump®, Medtronic, Inc.; Sarns™ Centrifugal System, Terumo Cardiovascular Systems) or an electromagnetic pump (Levitronix® CentriMag® Blood Pumping System, Levitronix GmbH). In one embodiment, control unit 14 further comprises a vacuum to assist in withdrawal of the normothermic blood.

In order to more closely monitor physiological parameters during a procedure, sensors 50 may be placed at or near exit port 24, shown schematically in FIG. 1. Sensors 50 can include one or several sensors, capable of measuring pressure, temperature, flow, or a combination thereof. In an alternative embodiment, pressure is measured by providing an additional lumen referred to as a pressure lumen. The pressure lumen has a proximal pressure transducer attached thereto which is capable of measuring the pressure of a column of fluid located within the pressure lumen. Sensors 50 are in communication with control unit 14 via conventional wires 51 or via wireless communication. As shown in FIG. 2, control unit 14 can further include a processor 53 for receiving and processing signals from sensors 50 and providing an output based on the processed signals. Output can be sent to a display 57, which provides output information to a user. The user can make a decision based on this output information regarding further adjustments of the temperature, flow and pressure. Display 57 can be, for example, a visual, audio, numeric or any other suitable display. When a user sees the display, he/she can manually adjust thermal adjustor 40. The user can also decide to immediately stop the procedure if necessary. Alternatively, processor 53 sends output directly to thermal adjustor 40, which then automatically changes cooling or heating parameters based on the output.

In one embodiment, hub 30 further includes an infusion port 52. Infusion port 52 can be used, for example, to introduce contrast media to the site. Alternatively, infusion port 52 can be used to introduce drugs. For example, lytic agents which are typically used to dissolve clots can be introduced via infusion port 52 into an artery, rather than the common practice of intravenous delivery of these agents. Alternatively, in some circumstances it may be desirable to introduce clotting agents, which can be done via infusion port 52. It should be readily apparent that any suitable agent, compound, drug, or substance can be introduced via infusion port 52, and all of these possibilities are included within the scope of the present invention.

Occlusion element 28 is comprised of an atraumatic surface so as not to damage the inner walls of a blood vessel. In a preferred embodiment, occlusion element 28 is comprised of a hydrophilic surface, which by attracting water forms a natural atraumatic layer. Furthermore, a hydrophilic surface can provide means for expanding a folded balloon which is configured to open when in contact with water components from the blood. Occlusion element 28 may further include a coating for providing long-term (measured in hours, days or even months) implantation of catheter 12 in the body. Alternatively or in addition, occlusion element 28 may further include a drug coating. In one embodiment, occlusion element 28 is a balloon, such as is commonly used with catheter systems, and is expandable by introduction of a fluid therein, wherein the fluid can be a liquid or a gas. In this embodiment, a separate inflation lumen is included within catheter 12, either alongside or coaxial with delivery lumen 22, and is in fluid communication with occlusion element 28. Fluid is introduced via an inflation port (not shown) positioned at hub 30. These types of balloons and inflation lumens are commonly known in the art. The balloon may be elastomeric, compliant, semi-compliant or non-compliant, as long as it serves to occlude the vessel without causing damage to the internal walls. In another embodiment, occlusion element 28 is a self-expanding element confined within a retractable sheath, such that upon retraction of the sheath, the self expanding element expands to a diameter sufficient to occlude the vessel. In this embodiment, the sheath is connected to a retractor positioned at proximal end 16 of catheter 12. The self-expanding element may be comprised of an elastic or spring-like material, or a shape-memory alloy. Such materials are known in the art. In another embodiment, occlusion element 28 is a mechanically actuated mechanism, whereby it is expanded by mechanical means. In yet another embodiment, occlusion element 28 is comprised of a temperature sensitive material which can be expanded or retracted by exposure to specific temperatures. Specifically, perfusion of cooled or heated blood through delivery lumen 22 would cause expansion of occlusion element 28, and perfusion of normothermic blood through delivery lumen 22 (such as, for example, during renormalization of temperature) would cause retraction of occlusion element 28. This may be accomplished, for example, by using a shape-memory material, either as occlusion element 28 itself, or as an actuator positioned alongside occlusion element 28. Similarly, this could be accomplished by using a bi-metallic strip.

Occlusion element 28 further includes a radiopaque marker 48 for viewing of a location of catheter 12 generally and occlusion element 28 specifically within the vessel. In one embodiment, occlusion element 28 is itself comprised of radiopaque material. In alternative embodiments, one or more radiopaque markers 48 are positioned on occlusion element 28. Additional radiopaque markers 48 may also be positioned in other places along catheter 12 such as, for example, at distal end 18, or at inlet ports 26.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is an illustration of a catheter 12 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Catheter 12 is similar in construction to catheter 12 shown in FIG. 1, with an additional feature of an auxiliary delivery lumen 23, preferably situated between supply lumen 20 and delivery lumen 22. Auxiliary delivery lumen 23 is configured to receive a supplemental blood flow from control unit 14 and to deliver the supplemental blood (depicted by wide arrows 48) to a vessel. In one embodiment, the supplemental blood is taken from the control unit 14 and introduced into auxiliary delivery lumen 23 at an initial thermally altered temperature. Supplemental blood as depicted by wide arrows 48 undergoes a temperature change during its flow from the proximal end to the distal end of auxiliary delivery lumen due to conduction from the normothermic blood in the blood vessel which is in close proximity thereto. In this embodiment, the temperature of supplemental blood that exits ports 25 of auxiliary delivery lumen 23 is of a different temperature T₂ than the temperature T₁ of the thermally altered blood depicted by broken arrows 46, which is delivered to the target site. The presence of an additional layer of blood flow in a lumen surrounding delivery lumen 22 provides increased insulation for the thermally altered blood being delivered to the target site. Furthermore, blood from auxiliary delivery lumen 23 can be used for simultaneous treatment of different parts of the body. Thus, for example, if it were desired to treat the target site with one temperature and an additional site with another temperature, auxiliary delivery lumen 23 could be used for treatment of the additional site. The amount of temperature change that occurs within auxiliary delivery lumen 23 depends on the flow rate and the initial temperature difference between the thermally altered blood entering auxiliary delivery lumen 23 and the normothermic blood surrounding auxiliary delivery lumen 23.

In a preferred embodiment, auxiliary delivery lumen 23 is coaxially arranged with respect to delivery lumen 22, and includes secondary exit ports 25, preferably in a distal portion thereof. The distal portion of auxiliary delivery lumen 23 is proximal to exit port 24. Supply lumen 20 is positioned coaxially with respect to auxiliary delivery lumen 23, and distal end 21 of supply lumen 20 is proximal to secondary exit ports 25. In one embodiment, supply lumen 20 is a standard vascular sheath and may have a side arm 27 from which normothermic blood is sent to control unit 14.

A second occlusion element 54 may be positioned proximal to secondary exit ports 25 and distal to inlet ports 26 of supply lumen 20. In this way, a first target site is supplied by thermally altered blood exiting delivery lumen 22 and having a temperature T₁, and a second target site is separately supplied by supplemental blood exiting auxiliary delivery lumen 23 and having a temperature T₂.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are illustrations of a distal portion of catheter 12, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein exit port 24 is positionable at varying distances from ports 61. Ports 61 are inlet or outlet ports of a coaxial lumen 60, which can be any lumen coaxial to delivery lumen 22. In one embodiment, coaxial lumen 60 is supply lumen 20 and ports 61 are inlet ports 26. In another embodiment, coaxial lumen 60 is auxiliary delivery lumen 23, and ports 61 are secondary exit ports 25. Delivery lumen 22 is movable within coaxial lumen 60. Movement can be a twisting motion, for example, wherein delivery lumen 22 and coaxial lumen 60 are attached with a bellows 56, as shown in FIG. 4A. Alternatively, movement can be a sliding motion, wherein delivery lumen 22 and coaxial lumen 60 are attached via telescoping means 58, as shown in FIG. 4B. Any other means for changing a distance between exit port 24 and ports 61 is included within the scope of the invention.

In some instances, it may be desirable to anchor catheter 12 into a vessel, providing greater control and easier accessibility to the target site. Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-5C, which are illustrations of a catheter having a bendable distal end 18 for anchoring. As shown in FIG. 5A, catheter 12 includes delivery lumen 22 and occlusion element 28. At least one exit port 24 is located distal to occlusion element 28. In one embodiment, exit port 24 is at distal end 18 of catheter 12. In another embodiment, exit port 24 is located anywhere between occlusion element 28 and distal end 18. In one embodiment, distal end 18 is initially in a straightened positioned as it is advanced over a guidewire 62. Guidewire 62 is insertable through delivery lumen 22. Alternatively, guidewire 62 may be insertable through a separate guidewire lumen (not shown), which is either coaxial with or adjacent to delivery lumen 22. Catheter 12 is advanced over guidewire 62 until a desired location is reached. Guidewire 62 is then removed, allowing catheter 12 to assume a bent configuration, as depicted in FIG. 5B. The bent configuration is suitable for anchoring in a vessel, as shown schematically in FIG. 5C. In an alternative embodiment, catheter 12 has a fixed wire at its distal end, and distal end 18 is initially straightened by inserting a removable stylet. Once the desired location is reached, the stylet is removed, causing distal end 18 to assume its bent configuration. In one embodiment, distal end 18 is comprised of a shape memory alloy.

Alternatively, it may be desirable to anchor catheter 12 in a vessel other than the one leading to the target site. For example, if catheter 12 is anchored in a branch vessel, thermally altered blood can be diverted into the main vessel by strategically placing exit port 24 at a specific location or locations.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is an illustration of catheter 12 suitable for anchoring in a separate vessel, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Catheter 12 has a closed distal end 18 and an exit port 24 located along its shaft, proximal to distal end 18. Catheter 12 further includes at least two occlusion elements: first occlusion element 28, which is positioned between exit port 24 and ports 61 of coaxial lumen 60, and distal occlusion element 55, which is positioned between exit port 24 and distal end 18 of catheter 12. Coaxial lumen 60 and ports 61 can be supply lumen 20 with inlet ports 26, or auxiliary delivery lumen 23 and secondary exit ports 25. First occlusion element 28 is designed to separate an area for receiving thermally altered blood (i.e. the target site) from an area supplying normothermic blood to control unit 14, or from an area receiving supplemental blood at a different temperature T₂. Distal occlusion element 55 is designed to act as an anchor, while also separating an area for receiving thermally altered blood (the target site) from an untreated area. In a preferred embodiment, first and distal occlusion elements 28 and 55 include radiopaque markers 48 for allowing for positioning of catheter 12 within the blood vessel.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A and 7B, which are illustrations of a distal portion of catheter 12, suitable for anchoring in a separate vessel, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7A, guidewire 62 is introducible through delivery lumen 22. In an alternative embodiment, catheter 12 includes a separate guidewire lumen (not shown) either coaxial with or alongside delivery lumen 22. Catheter 12 includes a distal occlusion element 55, which in one embodiment is an inflatable balloon designed to extend over distal end 18 upon inflation. As shown in FIG. 7B, inflation of distal occlusion element 55 results in expansion of the balloon over distal end 18, causing the delivery lumen to be sealed. This type of configuration can be accomplished, for example, by attaching the balloon to the catheter shaft near the distal end of the catheter, such that upon inflation, the balloon is configured to expand over the edge of catheter 12. Alternatively, distal occlusion element 55 can have multiple attachment points 57, as shown in FIG. 7C in a deflated state, which dictate a direction of expansion for distal occlusion element 55. Exit port 24 is located on the shaft of catheter 12, and is positioned proximal to distal occlusion element 55.

It should be readily apparent that in all of the described embodiments, additional lumens may be included for various purposes. For example, a lumen for oxygenation of blood may be added. Additional cooling/heating lumens or additional lumens to control flow or pressure may be added as well.

In a preferred embodiment, system 10 is used to provide hypothermia for treatment of stroke. A target temperature for cooling is in the range of 18 to 30 degrees Celsius, and may be maintained for hours or days. The system described herein also allows for gradual rewarming of the treated area by slowly introducing blood of different temperatures.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A-C, which are illustrations of a method for treating a specific target site in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8A, catheter 12 is inserted into a blood vessel, and advanced to a vessel which is adjacent to the target site, referred to hereinafter as adjacent vessel 100. In a preferred embodiment, catheter 12 is initially inserted into a blood vessel such as the brachial, femoral or radial artery. In a preferred embodiment, wherein the goal is to selectively cool the brain without induction of systemic hypothermia, the target site is the brain, and adjacent vessel 100 is the internal carotid artery. A position of catheter 12 within adjacent vessel 100 is monitored by visualization of radiopaque marker 48. When catheter 12 is in the desired location, occlusion element 28 is expanded, as shown in FIG. 8B. This expansion primarily serves to isolate a particular section of adjacent vessel 100 which leads to the target site, thereby preventing normothermal blood from flowing into the target organ, and can also help anchor catheter 12 in place. Reference is now made to FIG. 8C, which illustrates the flow of blood. Once occlusion element 28 is deployed, normothermic blood, represented by arrows 44, enters supply lumen 20 via inlet ports 26. This blood flows through supply lumen 20, out through inlet connector 32 of hub 30 and through supply blood inlet 34 into control unit 14. Control unit 14 then heats or cools the blood to form thermally altered blood, which is pumped out through delivery blood outlet 38, through outlet connector 36, and into delivery lumen 22. Thermally altered blood, represented by broken arrow 46, flows out through exit port 24 and into the portion of the blood vessel which leads to the target site. In one embodiment, pharmaceuticals are simultaneously administered to the target site via drug infusion port 52. In another embodiment, sensors located at or near the exit ports measure physiological parameters such as pressure, flow and temperature, and the data is sent to control unit 14. Control unit 14 compares the received data to desired settings and adjusts heating/cooling as required. This cycle can continue for as long as is necessary for the particular application. In a preferred embodiment, the cycle is repeated for 1-72 hours.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 9A-C, which are illustrations of a method for treating a specific target site in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9A, catheter 12 is inserted into a blood vessel, and advanced to a vessel which is adjacent to the target site, referred to hereinafter as adjacent vessel 100. In a preferred embodiment, catheter 12 is initially inserted into a blood vessel such as the brachial, femoral or radial artery. In a preferred embodiment, wherein the goal is to selectively cool the brain without induction of systemic hypothermia, the target site is the brain, and adjacent vessel 100 is the internal carotid artery. A position of catheter 12 within vessel 100 is monitored by visualization of radiopaque marker 48. When catheter 12 is in the desired location, occlusion element 28 and second occlusion element 54 are both expanded, as shown in FIG. 9B. Occlusion element 28 and second occlusion element 54 can be sequentially or simultaneously expanded. Expansion of occlusion element 28 primarily serves to isolate a particular section of blood vessel 100 which leads to the target site, and can also help anchor catheter 12 in place. Expansion of second occlusion element 54 serves to separate an area for delivery of supplemental blood, which is of a different temperature T₂ than a temperature T₁ of thermally treated blood sent to the target site, and from normothermic blood returning through supply lumen 20. Reference is now made to FIG. 9C, which illustrates the flow of blood. Once occlusion element 28 and second occlusion element 54 are deployed, normothermic blood, represented by arrows 44, enters supply lumen 20 via inlet ports 26. This blood flows through supply lumen 20, out through inlet connector 32 of hub 30 and through supply blood inlet 34 into control unit 14. Control unit 14 then heats or cools the blood to form thermally altered blood, which is pumped out through delivery blood outlet 38, through outlet connector 36 and into delivery lumen 22. Thermally altered blood, represented by broken arrow 46, flows out through exit port 24 and into the portion of the blood vessel which leads to the target site. In addition, supplemental blood, represented by wide arrows 48, is sent through auxiliary delivery lumen 23 and into a secondary vessel 101, which may lead to a secondary target site. In one embodiment, pharmaceuticals are simultaneously administered to the target site and/or to the supplemental blood via drug infusion port 52. In another embodiment, sensors located at or near the exit ports measure physiological parameters such as pressure, flow and temperature, and the data is sent to control unit 14. Control unit 14 compares the received data to desired settings and adjusts heating/cooling as required. This cycle can continue for as long as is necessary for the particular application.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 10A-C, which are illustrations of a method for treating a specific target site in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10A, catheter 12 is inserted into a blood vessel, and advanced to a secondary vessel 101 which is near adjacent vessel 100. For example, adjacent vessel 100 and secondary vessel 101 can be branches of a vessel. This method may be desirable, for example, if adjacent vessel is diseased and might be adversely affected by introduction of a foreign element such as a catheter therein. In a preferred embodiment, catheter 12 is initially inserted into a blood vessel such as the brachial, femoral or radial artery. In a preferred embodiment, wherein the goal is to selectively cool the brain without induction of systemic hypothermia, the target site is the brain, and secondary vessel 101 is the external carotid artery. A position of catheter 12 within vessel 101 is monitored by radiopaque marker 48. When catheter 12 is in the desired location, occlusion element 28 and distal occlusion element 55 are expanded, as shown in FIG. 10B. Expansion of occlusion elements 28 and 55 serves to isolate blood vessel 100 which leads to the target site, and anchors catheter 12 in place without placing catheter 12 directly in blood vessel 100. Reference is now made to FIG. 10C, which illustrates the flow of blood. Once occlusion elements 28 and 55 are deployed, normothermic blood, represented by arrows 44, enters supply lumen 20 via inlet ports 26. This blood flows through supply lumen 20, out through inlet connector 32 of hub 30 and through supply blood inlet 34 into control unit 14. Control unit 14 then heats or cools the blood to form thermally altered blood, which is pumped out through delivery blood outlet 38, through outlet connector 36, and into delivery lumen 22. Thermally altered blood, represented by broken arrow 46, flows out through exit port 24 and into the portion of the blood vessel which leads to the target site. In one embodiment, pharmaceuticals are simultaneously administered to the target site via drug infusion port. In another embodiment, sensors located at or near the exit ports measure physiological parameters such as pressure, flow and temperature, and the data is sent to control unit 14. Control unit 14 compares the received data to desired settings and adjusts heating/cooling as required. This cycle can continue for as long as is necessary for the particular application.

It should be readily apparent that a single catheter serves to both collect and deliver the normothermic and thermally altered blood. In an additional embodiment, all or some blood contact surfaces can be coated with an anti thrombotic substance such as heparin.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. 

1. A method for providing insulated thermally treated blood to a location in the body, the method comprising: providing a delivery catheter; and providing an insulating layer around said delivery catheter, said insulating layer being a conduit for insulating blood, said insulating blood being of a different temperature than said thermally treated blood.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said insulating layer is a supply lumen, said supply lumen being a conduit for normothermal blood, the method further comprising removing the normothermal blood from the body via said supply lumen; thermally altering the normothermal blood; and delivering the thermally altered blood to the body via said delivery catheter.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said insulating layer is an auxiliary delivery lumen, said auxiliary delivery lumen being a conduit for supplemental thermally treated blood, the method further comprising delivering thermally altered blood to the body via said delivery catheter and delivering supplemental thermally treated blood to the body via said auxiliary delivery lumen.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said steps of removing and delivering are done simultaneously. 